Strictly Come Dancing announce line-up for Christmas special
The Christmas special is back for 2024!
Last updated 13th Nov 2024
The first two celebrity contestants have been announced for this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, which will air on Christmas Day. The iconic Strictly ballroom will be transformed into a festive wonderland as six famous faces take to the dancefloor as they try to become the Christmas Champion.
Judges Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas will return as they share their thoughts on the routines, with the winner decided by the studio audience.
Who is taking part?
Comedian Josh Widdicombe was the first celeb announced for the show.
The news of Josh's involement was announced on Monday 11th November, with him saying: “I am utterly terrified this will end in humiliation and worried I’m going to be so bad I will ruin Christmas for the nation. Why have I done this?”
RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Tayce was the second announced on Tuesday 12th November.
Tayce said: “I cannot wait to sleigh on the Strictly Ballroom floor. My partner and I are going to dance for our lives! In all seriousness, it’s an incredible honour to be the first Drag artist to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing. I hope I do all of my Drag Race and Welsh fans proud! Sign me up for all the glitz, glam and discoballs.”
The remaining Christmas line-up will be announced on Strictly: It Takes Two in due course.
When is the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special on?
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.
Take a look at some of the celebrities that have turned down Strictly Come Dancing:
Michelle Keegan
Despite bosses being eager to get Michelle Keegan on the show, the former Coronation Street actress had to turn down the proposition due to her ITV contract at the time.
She's since revealed she's been asked a number of times to appear, but she's always turned it down because she's too 'nervous' with the live audience.
However, she was in the audience when her husband Mark Wright appeared in 2014.
Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher was approached by bosses not long after Oasis split. However, much to EVERYBODY'S disappointment, the singer turned them down. Now that Oasis have reunited, we very much doubt we will see Noel on the show anytime soon!
Jodie Comer
Killing Eve actress Jodie Comer was reportedly asked to sign up for the show in 2018, but the Liverpudlian said she didn't want to 'embarrass' herself!
Fast-forward to 2020 and Jodie was also favourite to appear, but that didn't happen either!
Louis Walsh
After being axed from The X Factor by Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh was offered a slot on Strictly. He said in an interview at the time, "The day before the call from The X Factor, I got a call to be a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. I thought, 'I'd love to do it, just to annoy Simon'."
Piers Morgan
There's no doubt that controversial TV host Piers Morgan would get people talking on the show. But he's previously turned it down saying, "They've offered me vast sums of money to go and humiliate myself on national TV. But I prefer to do it with a bottle of Jack Daniel's in the privacy of my own home."
Mel C
Former Spice Girls singer Mel C reportedly turned down an offer for Strictly due to the 's--t pay'. She said, "The problem is if you do Strictly it's so high profile and you'll find yourself in the news every day. And the money's s---."
Nadiya Hussain
She's the Queen of Bake-Off, but star baker Nadiya Hussain turned down a spot on the 2018 series after admitting she likes to enjoy the show with her family.
Sir Patrick Stewart
Actor Sir Patrick Stewart admitted he would have taken part in the show in the early years, but not so much now.
David Harewood
Homeland actor David Harewood turned down the show in 2013, the reason... because he didn't fancy wearing spandex!
Maya Jama
Love Island host Maya Jama was a firm-favourite to appear on the 2018 series of Strictly. However, Maya turned it down after admitting "now isn't the right time".
Pippa Middleton
After stealing the show at her sister Kate Middleton's wedding to Prince William, Strictly bosses were keen to sign up Pippa, even offering her a five-figure sum. However, she declined.
Bradley Wiggins
Olympic legend Bradley Wiggins is used to wearing tight-fitting clothing for his sport, but the cyclist didn't seem keen on sparkly lycra!
Mel Giedroyc
Former host of The Great British Bake-Off Mel Giedroyc is such a big fan of Strictly, she admitted she didn't want to 'spoil it' by taking part.
Alan Titchmarsh
Popular TV personality Alan Titchmarsh has turned down the show a number of times, adding, "I'd rather be either interviewing someone or teaching people how to grow things or whatever".
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill
After her amazing success for Team GB at the Olympics, Strictly bosses were keen to get Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill on the show.
However, she turned it down, adding, "I've been asked to do it a few times and I love watching it, but I'm not sure. I would be terrible. I'm not ready for Strictly. I'll stick to my cycle and a bit of running here and there, I think."
Noel Edmonds
Former Deal or no Deal host Noel Edmonds turned down a slot on the show due to the famous 'Strictly curse'.
The 2023 Christmas special saw the likes of Dan Snow, Sally Nugent, Jamie Borthwick, Tilly Amartey, Danny Cipriani and Keisha Buchanan all take part, with Jamie even going on to join the official line-up for the 2024 main series.
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